Awanam Waves Festival Returns to Cap Tamarin: Music, Markets, and Family Fun

The Awanam Waves Festival will bring energy and colour back to Cap Tamarin on Saturday, October 3, 2026. As Mauritius shifts into summer, this much-anticipated event promises a full day of live music, family activities, and local markets set against the laid-back vibe of the island’s west coast. The festival is free and open to everyone, making it a perfect outing whether you’re staying nearby or exploring further afield.

Key details: Awanam Waves Festival 2026

• Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026
• Location: Cap Tamarin (various spaces including La Place, the Parc, the Baie, and Petit Jardin)
• Time: From 6:00am (early morning activities) to midnight (evening program)
• Entry: Free and open to all
• Main live acts: Manu Desroches, Rage Against The Mongoose, Moris EMA Band, Cyril Michel (jazz dinner at La Rivière)
• Family activities, local market, workshops, food stalls throughout the day
• To book the jazz dinner at La Rivière: Contact the restaurant directly (reservation required, 19:00, 23:00)

Why the Awanam Waves Festival Makes Cap Tamarin the Place to Be

If you’ve never made it out west, this festival is a great excuse. The Awanam Waves Festival, now in its second year, marks the beginning of Mauritius’ summer with a packed program. My favourite part? The event is designed to flow from sunrise through sunset and into the night, so there’s genuinely something for every age and every rhythm. Festival-goers naturally move between chill zones by the Parc, the bustling open-air market at La Place, and creative spaces for kids and families.

A Full-Day Program of Fun

• Early Morning (from 6:00am): Water sports like kayak and stand-up paddle in the park, followed by a 7:30am yoga session with RM Club.
• Morning Market (8:00am, 2:00pm): La Place comes alive for the “Summer is Coming” local market, focused on surf, swimwear, and ocean-themed wares. At Petit Jardin, a flea market and Carpe Diem’s solidarity boutique offer vintage finds, crafts, and homemade bakes (9:00am, 2:00pm).
• Creative Workshops for Kids (10:00am, 1:15pm): Activities like face painting, jewellery making, easel painting, scavenger hunts, and a candy treasure hunt are all on the agenda.
• Afternoon Chill (from 1:00pm): Relax in the park’s “chill zone” with games like slackline, carrom, pétanque, and more kayaking or trampoline fun. Street food and refreshments are available at the Awanam tent.
• Music Lineup:
  • DJ set (14:00, 16:00)
  • Manu Desroches “garden talk” (16:00, 16:45)
  • Live sets: Rage Against The Mongoose (16:45, 17:15) and Moris EMA Band (17:15, 18:00)
  • Grand open-air concert by Manu Desroches at La Place (19:00, 20:30, free)
  • Jazz dinner with Cyril Michel at La Rivière (19:00, 23:00, booking required)
  • BFF by Awanam with Big Willy’s after-party (20:30, midnight, part of Oktoberfest)

A Festival Built for All Ages

This festival isn’t just a music event, it’s a day where families collide with foodies, surfers, and those just seeking a relaxed Saturday in the sun. Organisers have made sure there are hands-on creative workshops for children, games and sports for teens, and a diverse food scene with several local restaurants and vendors joining in. If you love a local market atmosphere, make time for La Place and Petit Jardin in the morning. For music lovers, the late afternoon into the evening is when Cap Tamarin really swings, especially with Manu Desroches’ two sets and the sunset sessions by the Parc.

Tips for Visitors

• Arrive early if you want to join water activities or yoga, especially with the mild, dry mornings typical of Mauritius’ early summer.
• Bring cash or your preferred local payment method for market shopping and snacks.
• Sun protection is a must, but as the festival flows into evening, bring a light layer for the sea breeze.
• Traffic around Tamarin can be slow in the afternoons, if you’re driving, aim to arrive before 10am or park a little further and walk in.
• For the jazz dinner at La Rivière (19:00, 23:00), you’ll need to book ahead through the restaurant.

This year’s festival is made possible by Phoenix Beverages Limited and Cap Tamarin (Trimetys), in partnership with local businesses, restaurateurs, and cultural groups. The idea is simple: celebrate the start of summer with a day that unfolds at your pace. Whether you’re sampling finger food, browsing the artisan stalls, or dancing into the night, Awanam Waves Festival has crafted a local tradition that promises to keep growing.

While you’re in the area, why not check out other culinary experiences around the island? Experience Mauritian Flavours at Constance Le Chaland might just inspire your next food adventure.

For more on Cap Tamarin and the Awanam Waves event, see the official event page (captamarin.mu/awanamwaves2).

Source: Maurice Info

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